Honda HR-V transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
174 of the 1,847 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Honda HR-V 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (74), 2017 (32), 2022 (19). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Honda HR-V transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 2 | 13% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2022 | 19 | 22% | — | 1 TSB · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2021 | 5 | 8% | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2020 | 13 | 15% | — | 13 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2019 | 14 | 6% | — | 15 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2018 | 15 | 10% | — | 16 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2017 | 32 | 26% | — | 16 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 74 | 31% | 78k | 14 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 9 · 2020: 21 · 2021: 18 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 26 · 2025: 33 · 2026: 36
Across the model years, half of the 61 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 58,000 and 99,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
On 2/12/20, was accelerating to get onto highway when my car jerked and started losing speed. All kinds of lights started flashing on the dash. I was not in a safe place to pull over so I drove it until I could pull over safely. I could only go 40 MPH and the car was jerking.
2016 Hr-V on the third transmission - first one failed in late nov 2018 at 108k miles, second one failed in april 2019 after only 11k miles. Both times it failed while driving on the interstate - very dangerous.
I was driving it, it went into a limp mode. I could not accelerate. My dash light up flashing all different warning signs. Then put me at a complete stop and in permanent park with 6 or 7 dash lights on for my breaking system. When I was able to get it serviced they found I had complete transmission failure
Metal shavings found in the transmission fluid during inspection. Transmission needed to be replaced on 2017 Honda HR-V with approximately 93K miles. Honda Technical Bulletin issued on CVT belt premature failure in Honda HR-V 2017 - 2020 models
While driving, multiple warning lights suddenly illuminated and the vehicle immediately lost power and became undriveable with no prior warning signs. I had to pull over for safety and the vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership diagnosed CVT belt deterioration and advised the transmission requires replacement.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNHTSA investigation
- PE22011 Rear Differential Seizureopened Nov 28, 2022 · closed Jul 22, 2024
- On November 29, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE 22-011 after reviewing field reports alleging rear differential seizure in 2018-2022MY Honda CR-V and HR-V vehicles equipped with all wheel drive. To date, ODI has not received any consumer complaints. Some of the field reports received alleged the vehicle’s wheels locked up with no warning while the vehicle was in motion. T…
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Feb 20, 2025
- Service Bulletin - Due to the possibility of early deterioration of the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) drive belt, American Honda is extending the warranty coverage on these CVT models to 7 years from the original date of purchase or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Nov 3, 2023
- Service News - Some customers have complained of fluid leaking from the rear differential after it has been serviced due to over-torqueing of the drain plugs during servicing.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Honda HR-V
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Honda HR-V problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Honda HR-V years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 74; 2017, 32; 2022, 19. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (31%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Honda HR-V?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Honda HR-V?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 82,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 58,000 and 99,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.